FilmFanatic.org

Synopsis:
While recovering from his wife’s accidental death, CIA agent Harry Hannan (Roy Scheider) believes someone is out to eliminate him. He receives mysterious notes in Aramaic, is trailed by his brother-in-law (Charles Napier), and befriends a mousy young woman (Janet Margolin) whose grandmother worked in a Jewish brothel run by Hannan’s ancestors.

Genres:

• Amateur Sleuths
• Jonathan Demme Films
• Mistaken Identities
• “No One Believes Me!”

Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary notes, this Jonathan Demme thriller is a “shaky contribution” to the ever-growing list of “suspense films in the Hitchcock mold.” With that said, The Last Embrace is interesting and enjoyable on its own merits: it possesses a unique premise, some rather intriguing plot devices, a “Herrmann-esque” score by Miklos Rosza, and unusual characters — particularly Janet Margolin as Ellie, a “smart but neurotic college student” whose sweet nature belies any number of possible alter egos.

Redeeming Qualities:

• Janet Margolin as Hannan’s unanticipated roommate



• Charles Napier as Scheider’s dead wife’s brother

Must See?
No. This is a fun thriller, but not essential viewing.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• MRQE (Movie Review Query Engine)
• Cinepassion.org Review
• Qwipster’s Review